Counselor Comforts and Teaches
By Carole Hawkins
The Brunswick News
Dot Barlow doesn’t want women with unplanned pregnancies to have abortions, she wants them to have help.
As a counselor at the faith-based Care Net Pregnancy Center, Barlow talks to women who think they might be pregnant and are scared or confused about what to do. The center offers free pregnancy testing as well as screening for sexually transmitted diseases.
Advocating a non-abortion route, Barlow hopes women will listen to ramifications of abortion and consider other options before making a final choice.
“We give them facts and let them make the decision. They come to us because they know we’re not going to tell them what to do.” She said.
Medical complications occur in one out of 100 abortions, and the procedure makes women more susceptible to future miscarriages and breast cancer. Guilt, anxiety and depression can occur depending on a women’s a woman’s age, circumstances of pregnancy and religious beliefs, Barlow said.
During counseling, Barlow calms nerves and sifts through issues often surrounding an unplanned pregnancy. “I’ve had girls in here who were crying. A mother who comes in whit her daughter may be hard on her because she’s upset. It’s really important to listen to (the girl).”
Barlow said both pregnant women and women who have had abortions deserve support. Barlow connects pregnant women to local resources like Medicaid and Women, Infants and Children. Films on health and child rearing help prepare women for parenthood.
Women who have had abortions and who are struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual aftermath may participate in post-abortion counseling.
Barlow said helping other women through their pregnancies is especially important in modern times. “Women have always done this through history, but it’s especially needed now because strong family bonds are not always there. So many people don’t have support from any direction.”
Dot has volunteered at Care Net for 13 years.
Photo shows Dot Barlow, left, helping client LaTanya Sparks pick out baby clothing at Care Net Pregnancy Center.
This post was submitted my Crisis Pregnancy Center of Coastal Georgia, Inc.
The Brunswick News
Dot Barlow doesn’t want women with unplanned pregnancies to have abortions, she wants them to have help.
As a counselor at the faith-based Care Net Pregnancy Center, Barlow talks to women who think they might be pregnant and are scared or confused about what to do. The center offers free pregnancy testing as well as screening for sexually transmitted diseases.
Advocating a non-abortion route, Barlow hopes women will listen to ramifications of abortion and consider other options before making a final choice.
“We give them facts and let them make the decision. They come to us because they know we’re not going to tell them what to do.” She said.
Medical complications occur in one out of 100 abortions, and the procedure makes women more susceptible to future miscarriages and breast cancer. Guilt, anxiety and depression can occur depending on a women’s a woman’s age, circumstances of pregnancy and religious beliefs, Barlow said.
During counseling, Barlow calms nerves and sifts through issues often surrounding an unplanned pregnancy. “I’ve had girls in here who were crying. A mother who comes in whit her daughter may be hard on her because she’s upset. It’s really important to listen to (the girl).”
Barlow said both pregnant women and women who have had abortions deserve support. Barlow connects pregnant women to local resources like Medicaid and Women, Infants and Children. Films on health and child rearing help prepare women for parenthood.
Women who have had abortions and who are struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual aftermath may participate in post-abortion counseling.
Barlow said helping other women through their pregnancies is especially important in modern times. “Women have always done this through history, but it’s especially needed now because strong family bonds are not always there. So many people don’t have support from any direction.”
Dot has volunteered at Care Net for 13 years.
Photo shows Dot Barlow, left, helping client LaTanya Sparks pick out baby clothing at Care Net Pregnancy Center.
This post was submitted my Crisis Pregnancy Center of Coastal Georgia, Inc.
To learn more about Crisis Pregnancy Center of Coastal Georgia or for volunteer opportunities log on to www.handsoncoastalgeorgia.org.
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